“Zander, I’m right here. I’m okay, I promise,” she assured, clutching his hands with her own, desperate to leave. “Please, baby, take me home. Take me home.”
At the word home, he felt his fury abate as her blue eyes held his, love shining through to his soul. Pulling her in tightly, pressing her face against his chest, he willed his heartbeat to slow. “Jesus, princess…all I could think of was what if I was too late—” His words halted as her fingers landed on his lips.
Raising her eyes to his, Rosalie said, “You’re my hero, Zander. You’ve always been my hero.”
A few minutes later, after the police arrived and sorted things, she watched Pete escort a bloody Martin to the cruiser, and grinned. “This time, we both slew the dragon.”
34
The large group sat around Miss Ethel’s table, extra chairs having been found and pushed into every available space. The older woman had rushed down the front steps to envelop Rosalie in her embrace as soon as Zander parked his truck and helped her out.
She assured Miss Ethel that she was fine, just banged up—again. Her joke fell flat as Miss Ethel spied her crooked smile due to the bruise. Ushering her in, she immediately began to pour coffee and serve sandwiches. The men helped and, soon, the gathering was more relaxed. Rosalie smiled, recognizing Miss Ethel had the gift of making everyone feel as though the crazy world was right again.
Zander kept tucking her into his embrace, so she finally gave up her seat, preferring to sit in his lap. She saw the furtive glances the men sent her way, their eyes dropping to her bruise before their grimaces made their own jaws tense with anger.
“Guys, I’m fine,” she said. “You can stop with the glares. Pete’s got him in jail and,” she turned to him, adding, “he won’t be getting out anytime soon, right?”
Agreeing, he explained, “I told the others that Martin Burgess used to work for the post office, but was let go last year due to allegations of harassing women on his postal route. He also has two counts of domestic battery, filed by two previous girlfriends. He’ll try to lawyer-up, but with his past brushes with the law, this time he’ll go to prison. Charges will be assault, kidnapping, stalking.” Looking at her intently, he added, “And attempted murder. You name it, I’m asking the District Attorney to go for it.”
Blowing out what felt like a long-held breath, she shook her head slowly. “It’s hard to believe it’s over. Finally, over.”
Rafe grinned at Rosalie sitting on Zander’s lap and said, “Gotta say, seeing the whoopin’ you put on him before we got there…you did all right.”
Laughing, Rosalie added, “And I have to say that meeting you in person is certainly more what I expected than when I thought he was you!”
“Yeah, Rafe’s a real pretty boy,” Zander quipped. As the mirth died down, he looked over at the others, saying, “I know you’re gonna say that I don’t need to do this, but thanks…to all of you for immediately jumping in to find her—”
“You’re right, man,” Jaxon interrupted, his gaze warm on the couple sitting across from him, “you don’t gotta say it.”
Pete stood to leave, saying goodbye to Miss Ethel before turning to wave toward the others. After he left, Miss Ethel sat down next to the twins and smiled at Rosalie.
“My sweet girl, I predict only good things for you from now on.”
Agreeing, she twisted her head to stare into Zander’s eyes. “I think we both have our happily-ever-after.”
His heart full, he leaned over, taking her lips in a sweet kiss. “You got that right, princess.”
One Year Later
“Order up!”
Lynn grinned as she passed by Zander on her way to the counter, now in the back of Grimm’s, picking up the platter of wings to deliver to customers. He rolled his eyes, but his lips turned up at the corners. Scanning the room, the large, flat-screened TVs gracing the four corners had the rapt attention of most of the patrons.
Walking by the bar, he gained nods from Joe and Charlene, indicating everything was under control.
Zeke clapped him on the back, saying, “I’ll be out back. Got a delivery coming in.”
“Everything okay?”
Barking out a laugh, Zeke said, “Hell, partner, with me running the kitchen, everything’s great!”
He watched his new business partner stroll out back and, with another glance around the crowded, and newly named Grimm’s Pub, he knew it had been the right decision. The old regulars still came in for drinks—some to watch the games on TV, some to just chat with Joe and Charlene, others to sit quietly in a corner knowing one of the servers would keep an eye on them—but now, a newer clientele also came in, for the drinks and food.
His musings were interrupted as Roscoe, at the front, yelled, “Beauty on the floor!”
Eyes darting toward the door, his feet automatically headed that way. The smile that greeted him was almost as wide as his own as he wrapped Rosalie into his embrace, kissing the top of her head, relishing the feel of her body tucked next to his. Today, her long, blonde hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and she wore black pants, paired with black, heeled boots, giving her a sexy teacher look. An ice-blue sweater brought out the blue in her eyes but, more importantly, it pulled tight over her gently protruding stomach. He knew Roscoe had it right…she was a beauty…and she was his and having his baby. The beauty that was now his life overwhelmed him.
Inhaling deeply, relishing in her scent, he asked “How was your day?” He loosened his hold slightly, pulling back to peer into her eyes.
“Great,” she replied. “Senior essays are graded and the juniors aced their state tests. My lesson plans are done and I’ve got all weekend to spend just with you.”
His hand dropped to her stomach. “All good?”
Her smile, now glowing, filled her face, warming his heart.
“All snuggled in, safe and sound.” Feeling the sudden sting of tears hit her eyes, Rosalie sucked in a shuddering breath. “You know, it’s true…some fairy tales do come true.”
Zander bent to place a soft kiss on her lips, feeling her body quiver next to his, before pressing her cheek back to his heart. Yes, there are, princess…yes, there are.
Six Years Later
Rosalie stopped at the opening of the bedroom and leaned against the doorframe, her gaze lovingly on the occupants inside.
Zander, sitting on the bed, had five-year-old Charity snuggled up close, his arm protectively around her, and three-year-old Evan curled up on the other side, his favorite blanket tucked under his chin, his eyes closed. A book lay open on her husband’s lap, his voice ringing out through the room.
“ ‘And when he saw her looking so lovely in her sleep, he could not turn away his eyes; and presently he stooped and kissed her, and she awaked, and opened her eyes, and looked very kindly on him.’ ”
“Oh, Daddy, is that what you thought when you kissed Mommy?” Charity asked.
“Yes, it was exactly what I thought,” he answered, smiling down at her. Leaning over, he kissed the top of her head, adding, “And, it’s exactly what I think of you too.”
She stepped into the room, capturing his attention, his eyes twinkling as they landed on her. She bent to lift Evan, but Zander’s hand on her arm stopped her.
“I’ll get him,” he said, lifting his son to move him over to his toddler bed, kneeling to kiss his chubby cheek as he tucked him in. Turning, he watched as she kneeled at Charity’s bed, pulling the covers up around her neck.
He assisted her up, his hand around her waist. As she turned out the light, making sure the nightlight was on, he led her out of the room and down the hall into their bedroom.
An hour later, Zander lay with Rosalie snuggled into his side, her breath deep with sleep. The moonlight sneaked through the blinds, providing a glow to the room, illuminating her face. Pale skin, eyelash crescents on rosy cheeks, and a rosebud mouth. His sleeping beauty.
Closing his eyes, he allowed sleep to come, sweet dreams filling his soul.<
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Don’t miss the next Heroes at Heart
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If you liked Picking Up the Pieces, check out the other books by me!
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Just One More Chance
Clues of the Heart
Finding Peace
Picking Up the Pieces
Sunset Flames
Heroes at Heart
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Alvarez Security (military romantic suspense)
Gabe
Tony
Vinny
Jobe
Saints Protection & Investigations
(an elite group, assigned to the cases no one else wants…or can solve)
Serial Love
Healing Love
Seeing Love
Honor Love
Sacrifice Love
Remember Love
Discover Love
Surviving Love
Celebrating Love
Searching Love (coming 2018)
Sleeper SEAL
Thin Ice
Letters From Home (military romance)
Class of Love
Freedom of Love
Bond of Love
The Love’s Series (detectives)
Love’s Taming
Love’s Tempting
Love’s Trusting
The Fairfield Series (small town detectives)
Emma’s Home
Laurie’s Time
Carol’s Image
Fireworks Over Fairfield
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